And finally, Sir Trevor's back
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2007 09:45
Trevor McDonald is set for a return to News At Ten
Sir Trevor McDonald is to return to UK TV screens next year, with ITV planning to restore its damaged reputation by resurrecting News At Ten, reports claim.
It is thought the 68-year-old newsreader has been tempted out of retirement to co-host the bulletin with Sky News presenter Julie Etchingham.
The flagship news show was axed in 1999 as ITV bosses wanted to screen uninterrupted dramas and blockbuster films but with the scheduling of the replacement bulletin frequently changed, the show was dubbed 'News At When'.
It returned in 2001 but was cancelled again three years later, moving to a 22:30 slot, in which it is currently presented by Mark Austin, Alistair Stewart and James Mates.
Sir Michael Grade, ITV executive chairman, called the original 1999 cancellation of News At Ten "a shocking mistake" earlier this year.
The decision "damaged ITV more than anything", he claimed.
"How we put that right we shall see. It's a highly competitive environment and the effect of any changes is dissipated by advance notice," Sir Michael said in March.
Sir Trevor retired as a newsreader in 2005 after 32 years of service with ITN, yet continues to present Tonight with Trevor McDonald as well as satirical comedy programme News Knight.
An ITV spokesperson was unavailable for comment.